A past arrest or charge should not define the rest of your life. Background checks for jobs, housing, and licensing often surface records that never resulted in a conviction—creating barriers long after a case ends. At Rentz Law, Carrie L. Rentz helps clients in Orange County and Seminole County have eligible records sealed or expunged, so they can move forward with confidence.
How Rentz Law Can Help
Local expertise – Regular appearances at the Orange County Courthouse (Orlando) and Seminole County Criminal Justice Center (Sanford) mean we know local procedures, judges, and filing nuances.
Hands-on representation – You work directly with Carrie from eligibility screening through final orders.
Clear communication – We offer text, phone, or email updates at every step so you always know what’s next.
Meet Your Orlando Expungement Attorney
For two decades, Carrie L. Rentz has helped clients reduce the impact of criminal records through sealing or expunctions when the law allows. She understands how employers and licensing boards read background checks and how a clean public record can offer you better opportunities. Carrie personally guides you through eligibility, paperwork, and hearings.
20+ Years of Experience Serving Orange and Seminole Counties
Sealing vs. Expunction in Florida
Florida law offers two main remedies:
Record Sealing – §943.059
The record is placed under restricted access. Most private background checks will not show it, but certain agencies can still see sealed records for limited purposes.
Record Expunction – §943.0585
The record is physically destroyed (with narrow exceptions). Law enforcement retains a confidential record, but it is not available to the public; you may generally and lawfully deny the arrest/charge, with exceptions listed in the statute.
Can I Have My Record Expunged in Florida?
Eligibility depends on the facts of your case and your history. In general, you may qualify if:
- You were not convicted (no adjudication of guilt) and meet statutory requirements.
- Your charge was dismissed/no-filed, you completed diversion with dismissal, or the court withheld adjudication (often sealing, sometimes expunction in limited scenarios).
- You have no prior sealing/expunction in Florida and no pending charges.
- The offense is not on Florida’s disqualifying list (certain violent, sexual, or serious offenses cannot be sealed/expunged).
Because the rules are technical (and exceptions exist), we start with a precise eligibility review against the statutes and FDLE criteria.
In Orange and Seminole counties, the clerks process hundreds of sealing/expunction petitions annually. Many stem from dismissed charges, withheld adjudications, or diversion completions. Petitions are filed in the court where the case occurred, and each courthouse has its own workflow and forms portal. As a local firm, Rentz Law has experience with these processes and procedures.
Orange County Clerk – Sealing/Expunction Resources
Seminole County Clerk – Criminal/Records Info
FDLE – Certificate of Eligibility & Fingerprint Instructions
The Florida Sealing/Expunction Process (Step-by-Step)
- Check Eligibility: We compare your case to §§943.0585/943.059 and the FDLE disqualifying list.
- FDLE Certificate of Eligibility: You submit fingerprints, the FDLE application, and required documents. FDLE issues a Certificate of Eligibility if you qualify.
- File Your Petition: With the Certificate in hand, we file a Petition to Seal or Expunge, affidavit, and proposed order in the Orange County or Seminole County court where the case originated. Local rules may require a hearing.
- Hearing (If Required): The judge reviews eligibility and any objections from the State Attorney. We present your case and address questions about your background and needs.
- Order & Updates: If granted, the court issues an order to the agencies. The Clerk and FDLE update records; commercial databases usually refresh on their own cycles.
The timeline for this process varies based on FDLE processing and court calendars. Carrie keeps you updated at every phase.
What Changes After Sealing or Expunction?
- Public access – The record is removed from public background checks and online databases.
- Lawful denial – After expunction (and often sealing), you may lawfully deny the arrest/charge except in limited settings (e.g., applications for certain state jobs or licenses, criminal justice employment, when under prosecution). See statutory exceptions in §§943.0585(4) and 943.059(4).
- Agency access – Some government/licensing agencies may still access sealed records and will see expunged records in limited circumstances.
When the sealing or expunction of your records is successful, we’ll explain how to answer background questions correctly so you stay compliant and benefit from the court’s order.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Carrie was extremely helpful in a difficult situation. She was detailed, easy to communicate with and provided a favorable result in the end. If your looking for a great attorney pick up the phone and call Carrie today!
Carrie is everything as advertised. She actually puts in time and effort to get to know you and shows true sympathy toward her clients. Great people skills and even better knowledge of the law. Highly recommended!
When I initially called Carrie I was hesitant, scared, and didn't know what to expect. I can tell you first hand, Carrie and her assistant are AMAZING. I would recommend to anyone and everyone. Good luck Carrie on your future endeavors, all the best.
I hired Mrs. Rentz for a legal issue I had in the Orlando area. Being from out of town, I use some references as a guide. Mrs. Rentz looked to be the right attorney. She is very caring and takes your issue very seriously.
This was by far the best experience i have had with a lawyer she always let me know what was going on with my case and always stayed positive while fighting for me in the courtroom. Just want to say i appreciate everything you have done for me and will definitely recommend you to anyone. If i could it would be 10 stars, thank you again
Carrie was wonderful to work with. She made the entire process so smooth for me and was always easy to get in touch with whenever I had any questions.
Carrie Rentz is an amazing lawyer. She is very informed and ready to answer any questions I have. She and her assistant reply to emails in a timely fashion and are both very friendly and knowledgeable. If you are looking for a lawyer I 100% recommend her.
Expungement FAQs
Is sealing the same as expunction?
No. Sealing restricts public access; expunction destroys the record (with narrow exceptions). Agencies’ access differs between the two.
Can I seal/expunge if I was adjudicated guilty?
Generally no; adjudication of guilt usually disqualifies you. A withhold of adjudication may allow sealing (and in limited scenarios expunction), subject to the offense charged.
I completed diversion and my case was dropped – can I expunge?
Often yes, if you meet the other criteria and have never sealed/expunged a record before. We will confirm your eligibility against FDLE and the statutes.
Will I have to go to court?
Some petitions are granted without a hearing, but judges can set hearings if they choose. We will prepare you either way.
How long does the expungement process take?
FDLE processing and court calendars vary. We’ll give you a current estimate and keep you updated as each milestone is reached.
Does this help with online mugshots or data brokers?
After the court order, many commercial databases update automatically over time; some require requests. We’ll provide a post-order checklist.
